The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established the universal grading system for comparing the quality of diamonds in the 1940's and 50's. Because a diamond's entire cost is based on certain characteristics - known as the 4 C's, it is helpful for a person to have an understanding of these.
As a GIA Graduate Gemologist, and a certified Master Gemologist Appraiser®, Kirk Root can answer any question you have as you're looking for that perfect diamond.
For a quick overview, here are the basics. CARAT, COLOR, CLARITY, and CUT:
CARAT - A carat is divided into 100 points (just a dollar is divided into 100 pennies). So a 50 point diamond would weigh 0.50 carats.
Keep in mind, a diamond's cost is not just based on carat size. All other factors, cut, color and clarity make a determination in the price. Thus, two diamonds of the exact same carat weight can have totally different prices.
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COLOR - It's actually the lack of color that one is preferring in diamonds! The less color, the higher the value. The scale begins with D being the highest or best possible grade and continues to the letter Z, which is the lowest grade. (Fancy colored diamonds -such as pinks and blues - lie outside this color range.)
D = Absolute Colorless (The highest color grade - very rare)
E, F = Colorless (Any traces of color only picked up by expert eyes - rare)
G, H = Near Colorless (Difficult unless compared with other diamond - excellent choice)
I, J
= Visible White (Color Neutral)
K - M = Trace or Light Color (Lightly toned - yellow, brown or grey hues)
N - Z = Noticeable Color (Moderately toned - yellow, brown or grey hues)
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CLARITY - Each diamond had it's own unique birthmark - known as an inclusion or blemish, unless you're fortunate to be obtaining one that's considered flawless. A diamond's clarity grade ranges from flawless (FL) to one with obvious inclusions (I3).
Most diamonds set in fine jewelry today fall into the very slightly included (VS) or slightly included (SI) range. The size, position, and amount of inclusions under 10X magnification determine the clarity grade a diamond will receive.
Flawless (FL) - No internal or external imperfections - very rare
Internally Flawless (IF) - No internal imperfections; very minor external cutting errors
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2) - Minute inclusions; very difficult to see under 10X
Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2) - Minor inclusions, invisible to unaided eye
Slightly Included (SI1, SI2) - Noticiable imperfections under 10X; typically eye clean
Included (I1, I2, I3) - Obvious imperfections affect appearance and/ or durability
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CUT - A diamond's sparkle, or fire, is affected by its cut. When a diamond is cut in the proper proportion, light is reflected back out through the top of the diamond, giving it its sparkle. Without a proper cut, a diamond loses it brilliance, and so its value.
The cut is given a grade of one of the following: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor.
The traditional 58 facets in a round brilliant diamond help to bring the standard light play through a diamond. We, at Kirk Root Designs, have developed the Century Cut Diamond®, and have been offering its brilliant cut to customers for years. Let us show you how we can double the sparkle in your diamond!
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